The House of Representatives moved forward a $40 billion Ukraine military aid package. The lower chamber passed the legislation in a 368-to-57 vote on Tuesday, just hours after the bill’s official text was released. All 57 opponents of the spending spree were Republicans.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are taking aim at Russia in a new Senate resolution. On Capitol Hill Tuesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
President Joe Biden said he’s sending Congress a request for more security and humanitarian funding for Ukraine. During a press conference at the White House Thursday, Biden said in total he’s asking for an additional $33 billion for the war-torn country as the conflict continues for more than two months.
According to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Russia’s invasion and atrocities in Ukraine are “indefensible.” He made the comments Tuesday as the US hosted 40 countries for defense talks at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
The Pentagon is closely monitoring Russia’s nuclear arsenal, but does not believe President Vladimir Putin will use nuclear weapons anytime soon.
The Pentagon warned Russia is likely gearing up to strengthen its assault on the Donbas region of Ukraine. Department of Defense spokesperson John Kirby said during a press conference on Monday, U.S. Intelligence has found Russia is trying to re-supply its troops to prepare for a push in Eastern Ukraine.
White House National Security advisor Jake Sullivan seemed to poke the bear as the Biden administration wrestles with how to dissipate Russian forces from Ukraine. On several corporate news networks Sunday, Sullivan echoed Joe Biden’s claims that Russia’s attacks on civilians are “war crimes.”
President Joe Biden asserted that Vladimir Putin should be put on trial for war crimes amid reports of civilian deaths among other suspected atrocities by Russian forces in the Ukrainian city of Bucha as well as other areas.
As gas prices continue to hurt Americans, President Joe Biden announced he has a plan to control the costs. During remarks at the White House Thursday, he blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the price hikes as Russian oil comes off the global market.